DWI, Veterans, and Drug Treatment Courts in Minnesota - Best Practices, How they Work, And Ethical Considerations

Best Practices for Treatment Courts | 1.0 Standard credit
Presenter Abby Kuschel is the State Treatment Court Coordinator for the Minnesota Judicial Branch providing program support integrating a judicial treatment court approach into court operations for cases involving alcohol and other drug addicted offenders, offenders with mental health issues, and offenders who are veterans. She previously worked with drug/DWI Courts in rural, northern Minnesota for 10 years as the Treatment Courts Supervisor for the Ninth Judicial District and coordinated the Itasca County Wellness Court and the Beltrami County DWI Court. The Cass/Itasca County/Leech Lake Wellness Court was the first tribal-state joint jurisdictional court in the United States, and has served as a national model for intergovernmental cooperation. With this in mind, Abby will walk us through what the research says about best practices for specialty courts.

How Treatment Courts actually are implemented in Minnesota: Common practices and differences from County to County. | 1.0 Standard credit
This segment includes a panel discussion with members from different treatment courts in Minnesota. What triggers referral to the treatment court? What happens when treatment court participants have difficulties? And what leads to termination? These and other questions will be explored during this session. Panelists include 6th Judicial District Court Judge Jill Eichenwald, Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom and and Hennepin County Defense Attorney Kellie Charles. Moderated by Abby Kuschel.

Ethical Considerations: When does the Attorney need to be with the Client in Court? | 1.0 Ethics Credit
Presenter Judge Jill Eichenwald will present on ethical considerations when your Client appears in Treatment court. These considerations will include (but are not limited to): What waivers need to be submitted on the record? Can I have my Client enter a Treatment Court, but still contest an Evidentiary issue? What is the Attorney’s on-going role after Client has decided to plead guilty and enter the Treatment Court.